When the unthinkable happens...how will we survive?
Surviving the loss of a child is the hardest of journeys. There is only one way and that is through.
But what does that even mean?
"I can only show and tell you about my experiences along the way, pointing out mistakes, dangers, and miracles."
-Cheryl Christopher
A portrait of Grief
was written to hold the reader's hand through the early stages of grief and to provide guidance for sustained healing into the future.
Cheryl Christopher writes from
personal experience
of losing three boys. Although child loss is the primary subject, this book is impactful to those who have endured loss of any kind. In concise chapters, fellow grievers are pointed toward hope and renewal through personal stories, teachings, and music selections for healing.
The book is structured to walk you through:
The crippling effects of catastrophic loss
The process of grief and mourning
Denial and Avoidance
The weight of words and the hardest question
The worst that stages have to offer
Fear
Guilt and grace
Learning to receive comfort
Loss of identity
Self-Care
Signs and Epiphanies: everyday miracles
Marriage amid misery
Suicide, the Ultimate Tragedy
Complicated Grief
Celebrating those lost too soon
Managing special days and holidays
Shaping our worries into prayers
The impossible promises of Romans 8:28
When to let the joy back in: let's dance
Lift up your eyes